Ben is currently principal bassoonist with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, also performing recently as guest principal bassoon with groups including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Opera Australia Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia. He has appeared further afield as guest principal bassoon with the Hallé Orchestra (UK), Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Trondheim Symphony (Norway). NEW PARAGRAPH Ben lectured at the University of Auckland School of Music from 2007 to 2021, spending several years as coordinator of woodwind. Ben is regularly invited to tutor and present masterclasses, most recently for the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and the Australian Youth Orchestra. NEW PARAGRAPH After graduating from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Ben continued postgraduate studies on a full scholarship at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. While in the USA he served as principal bassoonist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, also performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New World Symphony Orchestra. He has held fellowships to the Tanglewood Music Centre, Weill Music Academy at Carnegie Hall and ANAM, and completed a Master of Music in composition. NEW PARAGRAPH A frequent recital and concerto soloist, Ben performed and recorded Alex Taylor’s Bassoon Concerto with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, which he previously premiered with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra. Also with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra he gave the Australasian premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s Concerto for Bassoon and Low Strings. Ben’s recordings include the Mozart Bassoon Concerto with the Omega Ensemble for ABC Classics, Michl Quartets for Bassoon and Strings for Naxos, and numerous recordings of Australasian Music for Atoll CD, Radio NZ Concert and the ABC.